Miss A Columnist

Amanda Pelletieris a native of Boston, who has always had lofty dreams of saving the world with a cape and a nice tiara, but until then she continues to pursue degrees in theatre and public relations at American University. Amanda has been inspired by the arts since her grandmother introduced her to Bizet’s Carmen at five-years-old. She received her training from Boston-based acting coach Debra Crosby and the world famous Stagedoor Manor in NY. When not glued to her Blackberry or running out the door to her internships, Amanda enjoys frequenting local museums, going to the opera, ballet, poetry readings, and the theatre. Amanda believes that high art should be accessible to everyone and she will cover events that even broke college students such as herself can attend.

Just across the picturesque Intercoastal Waterway sits Whitehall, a 55-room Beaux Arts estate and one of Florida’s most stunning residences. Once belonging to Henry Morrison Flagler, a leading figure of America’s Gilded Age, Whitehall is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and now acts as the Flagler Museum featuring a variety of exhibitions, guided tours, and special events open to the public.

Whitehall Estate (Photo Credit: Flagler Museum)

Henry Flagler built Whitehall as a wedding present for his third wife, Mary Lily Kenan Flagler. The estate, reminiscent of the Newport, RI mansions, was completed only 18 months after construction began and reviled some of the most esquisit palaces in Europe. Architects John Carrère and Thomas Hastings incorporated elements of the Italian Renaissance and reflected features of ancient Greece and Rome into the design of Whitehall, as seen on the ceilings in the Music Room and the Grand Hall.

The Flagler Museum is not only committed to preserving Whitehall as a prime example of Gilded Age architecture but also serves as a venue for a variety of exhibitions and programs such as the Whitehall Lecture Series and the Flagler Museum Music Series.

Last month, the Flagler Museum presented “A New Light on Tiffany: Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Girls”, an exhibition based off of groundbreaking research that sheds light on the many women who played a crucial role in the design and creation of Tiffany Studios’ masterpieces. Included in the exhibit were more than 50 Tiffany lamps, windows, mosaics, enamels, and ceramincs.

The Museum offers a diverse array of programming and events throughout the year. Last month, the annual “Bluegrass in the Pavilion Concert” was held in the beautiful Flagler Kenan Pavilion, home to Henry Flagler’s railroad car. The concert made for a refreshing contrast between the opulent luxury of the estate and the down-home simplicity of bluegrass music.

The Flagler Museum is also offering a unique way to celebrate mom this weekend. This Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., celebrate Mother’s Day a special Gilded Age style lunch in the Café des Beaux-Arts that features the Museum’s own Whitehall Special Blend™ tea, delicious tea sandwiches and sweets, all served on exquisite Whitehall Collection™ china. Each mother will receive a rose, a keepsake photograph, and a $10 gift card for the Museum Store. Tickets for the lunch can be purchased here.

The Henry Flagler Museum of Palm Beach is a must-see historical attraction for locals and visitors alike.